The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increases as kidney function declines. As a result, many hemodialysis patients often have low levels of vitamin D. Recent evidence has shown that vitamin D supplementation may improve many aspects of poor health such as heart disease and inflammatory markers. The objectives of this study are to determine how supplementing dialysis patients with ergocalciferol increases vitamin D levels, how long vitamin D levels can be maintained after a 6 month treatment course, and to examine the effect of ergocalciferol on biomarkers of inflammation and vascular health.

Current or past treatment with ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol ≥ 2000 IU per day (within the past 6 months)

Treatment with calcimimetics or bisphosphonates within the last 3 months

Treatment with anti-epileptics or other medications that can effect vitamin D metabolism

Malnutrition (serum albumin < 2.5 mg/dL)

Pregnancy, positive pregnancy test or breastfeeding

Malignancy or other significant inflammatory disease

HIV/AIDS

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01312441